Saturday morning I got up bright and early before the sun was even up. I climbed aboard my Jeep and headed North. To a place that brings so much joy to so many people - Rausch Creek Off Road Park
It was the 2nd annual Women's Wheeling Day and I was ready to hit the trails. It would be my fifth time off roading but my first time on the trails with out an instructor. As I checked in at the office a myriad of emotions were flowing through my body -- excitement, nervous, anxious and eager. Eager & excited to get back out on the trails. Once you've been bitten by the off roading bug it turns into an addiction. You want to be in your Jeep out on the trails as much as humanly possible.
Anxious to meet other Jeepers for the first time wondering if I would be accepted into the Jeep Girl club.
Nervous for many reasons. At one point I felt the butterflies in my stomach and was worried I might throw up. I knew I would have to air down my tires and I had never done that before. I was also nervous because I would be out there on my own making sure nothing would happen to my daily driver. I didn't have that comfort of an instructor to make sure my Jeep would be ok. It was all on my shoulders -- or so I thought!
Well, the last two emotions were very unnecessary. All the women who came out to wheel were fantastic. I was accepted into the Jeep Girl club. They were friendly, helpful and gave positive words of encouragement. They made the day that much more fun!
As for airing down my tires. I can't believe I even worried about that at all. One of the most simplest of four wheeling tasks. I broke out my tire deflators and hooked them up. The only thing is to remember to re-air up your tires at the end of the trip.
By the way, in case you didn't know -- airing down your tires is an off roading must. Lowering the tire pressure increases the amount of wheel surface that touches the trails. It allows for better traction and a smoother roll over the rocks.
I was in one of the groups that stuck to the green trails. At one point I debated going with the group heading out on the blue trails. The blue trails are more difficult than the green. My past two times in the instructional classes I was mostly on the green trails I felt a need to maybe move up.
But upon the advise of some very experienced drivers I stuck with the green trails. They assured me there would be some intense obstacles.
And oh boy were they right. Right off the bat we hit two Rock Garden obstacles. Let's just say they broke me in. They were intense but my little itty bitty stock Jeep and I made it through with flying colors. I've posted both the Rock Garden obstacle videos on You Tube - My channel The Jeep Momma.
All in all it was a super fabulous day with a group of amazing women. I can't wait for the 3rd annual Women's Wheeling Day. In the meantime I still have lots of video footage to view and lots of pictures to look at. Plus I'm thinking it's time to buy sway bar disconnects. There were some moments on the trail that they would have come in handy. Simple Living - Enjoying Life -- The Jeep Momma Way!
Being adequately prepared with essential tools and recovery gear is of paramount importance when embarking on off-road journeys. On my YouTube channel, I've shared informative videos, such as "Top 5 Tools Needed," "Top 5 Fluids Needed," and more, to help fellow off-road enthusiasts gear up for their adventures.
When planning for off-roading excursions, it's crucial to consider the tools you routinely use for maintenance and repairs on your vehicle at home. These are the very tools that should find a place in your off-road toolkit. I've had to replace my steering stabilizer multiple times, and this experience underscores the significance of always having this essential item in my tool bag
Broken Steering Stabilizer
The two tools needed to fix the bracket that attaches my steering stabilizer on my Jeep are an 18mm wrench and my rubber mallet. The 18mm wrench typically doesn't come in a set so you need to buy is separately.
My Have Tools in My Tool Bag
BFH - Hammer Adjustable Wrench Big Screwdriver or Pry Bar Socket Set and Ratchet Vice Grip Pliers Screwdriver and Bits Zip Ties Duct Tape Bottle Jack Flashlight Bungee Cords
"You may not have it all together, but together you will have it all."
It is good to be prepared but don’t get too crazy trying to pack everything into your Jeep. You may not use everything you bring and you may not have everything you need, but you may have things others need and vice versa.
Every time you go out you will learn what works for you and your wheeling style. Just prepare the best you can and grow on that each time. At the end of this post is a list of items you may or may not want to add to your list of tools.
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Possible Other Tools to Add to Your Tool Box
Socket Set - Standard & Metric with 3/8" & 1/2" drives - Deep & Standard Sockets Crescent, open-end combination box wrenches Standard & Metric Allen Wrenches Torx sockets (especially if you own a Jeep) Standard & Phillips screwdrivers, large, medium, small Pliers / Needle Nose (various sizes) Needle Nose Pliers Large channel-lock Pliers Pipe wrenches - having 2 medium of these can be useful for tie-rods Utility knife or razor blades BIG pry bar Snap ring pliers Magnet Duct Tape Bailing Wire Wood Blocks - useful for jacking platforms, ramps, suspension supports Rope Lengths Super Glue Epoxy Ratchet Straps Rags Work / Leather Gloves
Spare Parts / Repair Items
Extra Fan / serpentine belts Hoses, fuel line, coolant hoses Spare Tire Tire repair kits, plugs Extra Lug nuts, tire star wrench or lug key with key socket Cotter pins / keys - various sizes Nuts & bolts assorted standard and metric sizes RTV - form-a-gasket Radiator stop leak - silver flakes in tube Spare Hub (and hub fuses if applicable). Spare Universal Joints (U-joints for drive shaft & axles) Spare Drive Shaft (rear and front) Extra spark plug wire (size of longest wire)
Electronics Repair Kit
Volt ohms meter (multimeter) Wire cutters / wire crips / wire strippers (multi-tool) Spare fuses of all sizes and types used in your vehicle Electrical tape Spare wire - lengths of various gauges Spare switches Spare relay if you use relays crip on ends (male and female, various gauges) Small pocket sized needle point blow torch (handy for soldering wire) Flux core solder for repairs Wiring Diagram of your vehicle
By the way, in case you didn't know -- airing down your tires is an off roading must. Lowering the tire pressure increases the amount of wheel surface that touches the trails. It allows for better traction and a smoother roll over the rocks. 
